Hostel residents slam delays despite R500 million upgrade plan

Hostel residents in the City of Johannesburg say they continue to live in unbearable conditions — despite repeated promises, official plans, and now a R500 million investment to refurbish five of the city’s oldest hostels over the next three years.

Many say they feel neglected, like an afterthought in the city’s broader housing plan.

YNews joined Gauteng Human Settlements MEC, Tasneem Motara, and Johannesburg MMC, Mlungisi Mabaso, during their oversight visit to hostels in the inner city — where they were met with frustration from residents who’ve waited years for dignified living conditions.

Ndudo Makhaye, headman at the Murray and Roberts hostel, says long-standing delays have left residents confused and hopeless.

The Murray and Roberts hostel is just one example of Joburg’s housing crisis.

Construction began two years ago, but the project has been plagued by contractor disputes and workers downing tools due to delayed payments.

Residents say government promises have become meaningless.

Sipho Ntombela, who has lived at the hostel for decades, says this is the first time he’s seen government officials on-site. While critical of the past, he expressed cautious optimism with the recent visit.

Vacant and vandalised: A decade of neglect at MBA hostel

Just a few kilometres away, more than 200 units at the MBA hostel remain unoccupied and vandalised, despite a refurbishment project launched over a decade ago.

A legal battle between the construction company and the Department of Human Settlements stalled the project at 90% completion, with sewage, electricity, and basic unit finishes still incomplete.

In the meantime, criminal elements have taken over. Windows are smashed, ceilings have collapsed and doors are missing.

Ward 65 Councillor, Nkosikhona Khanyile, says the city can’t afford to let completed units go to waste.

Billions needed — but residents want action

During the visit, MEC Tasneem Motara confirmed that the hostel development strategy has now been officially approved, paving the way for urgent work.

But for the over 1.2 million people still waiting for adequate housing in Johannesburg, the road ahead remains long.

Motara says partnerships and fast-tracked approvals will be key to solving the problem.

Last month, delivering his keynote address at the Residential Investment Development Summit, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero admitted the city has been too slow to act and estimated that at least R60 billion is needed to address the broader housing crisis.

Today, MEC Tasneem Motara conducted oversight visits to the Provincial Hostels in Johannesburg Inner City, alongside MMC Cllr. Mlungisi Mabaso and senior officials.

The visit is part of ongoing efforts to track progress on the Hostel Redevelopment Programme (HRP) — pic.twitter.com/EaL3gBZ1UM

— GP_HumanSettlements (@GP_DHS) August 6, 2025

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe